Cry, the Beloved Country

Unlike Cry Freedom,
which I recently reviewed, Cry, the Beloved Country
presents a more even-handed portrayal of white and black relations in
South Africa during the apartheid era. The film shows, in a subtle and
non-preachy manner, how racial discrimination made it difficult for
blacks in South Africa to succeed socially and economically.

Based on Alan Paton's novel, the story involves a black minister,
Stephen Kumalo (Canada Lee), who journeys to Johannesburg in search of
his sister and son. He soon discovers that his sister has turned to
prostitution, and his son is charged with the murder of a a good white
man, who was trying to change people's views about racial
discrimination. Ironically, the father of the murder victim, James
Jarvis (Charles Carson), a wealthy farmer, is Kumalo's neighbour but
their paths had never directly crossed.

A racist, Jarvis does not immediately understand what motivated
his son to strive for equality among blacks and whites. As he reads
his son's manifesto he slowly begins to rethink his long-held
beliefs. Finally, after a mind-opening conversation with Kumalo,
Jarvis changes his views.

In some ways, Cry, the Beloved Country illustrates
some of the positive aspects of organised religion: there is no doubt
in my mind that the somewhat "peaceful" resolution (i.e., by election)
of the apartheid conflict was influenced, at least in part, by strong
religious beliefs held by the two opposing parties.